3 Ways to Handle a Store's Inconsistent Coupon Policy

After couponing for several months, you finally feel comfortable putting together your own deals. Dedicated to saving money, you review your favorite store’s weekly sales and match them with the appropriate coupons you find on KCL and Coupons.com. When you get up to the register, you confidently hand over your coupons, hoping that the cashier will comment on how coupon savvy you are. But no. Instead, she rejects your coupons and states that they can’t be used. Say what?! You know it’s supposed to work because you’ve read the store’s coupon policy many times.

Don’t let this bruise your couponing confidence, and stay calm. As frustrating as it may be, some stores have trouble consistently accepting and enforcing their own coupon policies. It’s an all-too-common problem. Help the store get back on track and be consistent and knowledgeable by meeting with the head manager.

1. Meet with the manager

Go over the policy and—politely—inquire about the training of employees. Store employees  may be unaware of parts of their policy. Most managers are willing to learn and abide by the written policies after such a discussion.

2. Let the policy do the talking

Print out a copy of the store's coupon policy and bring it along every time you shop at the store. Let the printed policy do the talking in case of snags.

3. Contact corporate

Issues not directly addressed in the policy will be decided by regional offices or the manager at each store location. If things aren’t working out after talking to corporate offices, store managers, and cashiers, try shopping a different location.

Here’s how to request your own copy of the store’s policy.